Unveiling the Potential of Nanoparticles in Barley Farming
Tejaswi Akula *
Department of Agronomy, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara- 144411, Punjab, India.
Kishore S. M.
Department of Agricultural Entomology, Keladi Shivappa Nayaka University Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga-577204, Karnataka, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Barley continues to stand out as an important food source for human beings all over the world. It remains significant to manufacturing (industrial applications), especially in the malting and brewing sectors. This contributes to its promotion as a commercial crop through practices such as contract farming in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana. Nanoparticle-based delivery mechanisms are high-end tools for enhancing zinc efficiency in barley crops. These involve coating and stabilizing zinc ions in nanoscale materials such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, or nanocarriers thus improving bioavailability and uptake besides abolishing soil solubility and mobility challenges. In conclusion, nano zinc is a sustainable way of addressing micronutrient deficiencies while promoting barley production under diverse agricultural conditions. This method has huge potential to improve future global food security and agricultural sustainability.
Keywords: Hordeum vulgare, seed priming, nano zinc, nutrient uptake, abiotic stress, nanoparticles, agricultural sustainability, food production, nutrition